oned between us again."

"God bless you, Lady Lufton," he said, "I think no man ever had such
a friend as you are." She had been very quiet during the interview,
and almost subdued, not speaking with the animation that was usual
to her; for this affair with Mr. Robarts was not the only one she
had to complete that day, nor, perhaps, the one most difficult of
completion. But she cheered up a little under the praise now bestowed
on her, for it was the sort of praise she loved best. She did hope,
and perhaps flatter herself, that she was a good friend.

"You must be good enough, then, to gratify my friendship by coming up
to dinner this evening; and Fanny, too, of course. I cannot take any
excuse, for the matter is completely arranged. I have a particular
reason for wishing it." These last violent injunctions had been added
because Lady Lufton had seen a refusal rising in the parson's face.
Poor Lady Lufton! Her enemies--for even she had enemies--used to
declare of her, that an invitation to dinner was the only method of
showing itself of which her good-humour was cognizant. But let me ask
of her enemies whether it is not as good a method as any other known
to be extant? Under such orders as these obedience was of course a
necessity, and he promised that he, with his wife, would come across
to dinner. And then, when he went away, Lady Lufton ordered her
carriage.

During these doings at Framley, Lucy Robarts still remained at
Hogglestock, nursing Mrs. Crawley. Nothing occurred to take her back
to Framley, for the same note from Fanny which gave her the first
tidings of the arrival of the Philistines told her also of their
departure--and also of the source from whence relief had reached
them. "Don't come, therefore, for that reason," said the note, "but,
nevertheless, do come as quickly as you can, for the whole house is
sad without you." On the morning after the receipt of this note Lucy
was sitting, as was now usual with her, beside an old arm-chair to
which her patient had lately been promoted. The fever had gone, and
Mrs. Crawley was slowly regaining her strength--very slowly, and with
frequent caution from the Silverbridge doctor that any attempt at
being well too fast might again precipitate her into an abyss of
illness and domestic inefficiency.

"I really think I can get about to-morrow," said she; "and then, dear
Lucy, I need not keep you longer from your home."

"You are in a great hurry to get rid of me, I